Snowstorms are coming! Here’s how we will communicate with you about school operations in extreme weather.

As you know, storms vary in size and strength, so we will only communicate with you if a major winter storm is affecting the operation of our buildings. We make operating decisions based on the weather at our campuses because Utah’s microclimates can produce wildly different weather patterns only a few miles apart.

We will message you at 6 am if there is an overnight storm. Otherwise, we will communicate as information becomes available to us. Messages will come through texts, email, and Utah Valley University’s social media.

We will communicate with you about storms based on two scenarios: if campuses remain open or have delayed openings or if campuses are closed.

 

Scenario A:

A snowstorm makes travel challenging but does not shut down UVU’s campuses. Roads, sidewalks, and parking areas can be cleared.

• UVU will text, email, and use social media to communicate that campuses are operating and will remain open or that there will be delayed openings.
• Faculty will communicate to their students with adequate timing as to how their courses will be taught: face-to-face and/or online for students who cannot travel to campus.

• Classes such as labs, dance instruction, emergency services, etc., that require face-to-face participation may be canceled per faculty supervisors.

• Employees who feel unsafe traveling must communicate with their supervisors about remote work arrangements.
• UVU will message the status of campus conditions morning and night until the bad weather goes away.

 

Scenario B:

A snowstorm makes travel challenging and shuts UVU’s campuses. Roads, sidewalks, and parking areas cannot be cleared, and/or power outages have impacted the buildings.

• UVU will text, email, and use social media to announce that campuses are closed.
• All courses will be moved online and recorded.

• Faculty will contact students to inform them how to access their courses.
• Classes such as labs, dance instruction, emergency services, etc., that require face-to-face participation will be canceled.

• Employees will need to contact their supervisors regarding remote work arrangements.
• UVU will message the status of campus conditions morning and night until the bad weather goes away.

 

How does UVU decide when to communicate?

You will only receive messages if there is a major winter storm. Keep in mind that we will also message in instances of high wind, low or high temperatures, ongoing storms, etc.

 

How does UVU decide to operate or close a campus because of weather?

We rely on the following resources to guide our actions:

• The National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Utah Department of Transportation weather cameras
• Local weather forecasts 
• Utah County K-12 school districts
• UVU Police and Facilities for on-campus status updates

 

Your safety is our first priority. We will make every effort to ensure good decisions are made, parking lots and sidewalks are clear of snow and ice, and learning is unimpeded by winter weather — even if closing physical campuses becomes necessary.

For more information, contact Robin Ebmeyer, director of Emergency Management and Safety at UVU.